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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Too Old for This
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Kenneth T. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Fun Cozy Thriller
I loved this light-hearted page turner story of an adorable and wicked woman "of a certain age" who is doing things beyond expectations. Unexpectedly it is a tale, told in the first person, of a semi-retired serial killer in a cozy thriller. Killing occurs but no graphic violence.
Samantha Downing has done the improbable, turned a serial killer into a lovable, very intelligent curmudgeon with plenty of spunk. Years ago, Lottie Jones has fled notoriety in Spokane with her young son, changed her identity, and purchased a home with money from a lawsuit for "false" accusations. She has a quiet life when a very perky, aspiring true-crime documentarian pushes into her home to bring back her past. When it becomes apparent that the young woman means to do the documentary over Lottie's objections, elimination seems the only solution.
The sudden killing of a young woman in Lottie's kitchen leads to a cascade of cover-up acts as a web of deceit predictably grows more complicated. Along the way we gain insight into the mind of a mother who loves her grandchildren and son in spite of his poor choices in women. Downing has captured the views and concerns of an older person humorously as Lottie's plans are upset by family and well-intentioned friends. We can't help but love the character and pull for her to get away with her awful and rather clever acts.
Don't try this at home. As a scientist I can tell you that you would not get away with murder using Lottie's clever methods but this is a very fun story if you suspend your disbelief just a little.
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Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)
Who knew murder could be so entertaining??
What fun! The book opens with a panache with our main character coming into "full swing" so to speak. The book does not discipline with action, intrigue and surprise. I enjoyed every minute and found the book a fast paced, thrilling read.
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Linda V. (Independence, KY)
Great chapter cliff hangers!
What a read! The author takes you to the curmudgeon aspect of getting old and spicing it up with hilarious dark humor. Just when you think you are tsk tsking her choices, you find yourself thinking, "yeah, s/he deserved it!" Delightful at every turn and teasingly makes you wonder about that "sweet old lady neighbor" down the street. Great read!
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Liz B
Great Thriller
This novel has an unexpected heroine….who is a serial killer. Self-confessed and no nonsense, we know who we’re dealing with right from the start. And we still root for her! Samantha Downing has created a mature female Dexter, if you will, and I couldn’t get enough. Loved the plot, it moved right along, and all of the characters were interesting to me. Great thriller!
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Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)
Murder is Hard Work
I didn't expect to have so much in common with a serial killer. We both are mature women who like to problem solve. We both enjoy church activities. We both are experiencing the invisibility that comes with aging. We are both handy with tools. I found this novel to be delightfully original. I am not obsessed with true crime podcasts or books, but I do enjoy the occasional well written mystery and this fits the bill. Lottie is so matter of fact as she goes about her killings, always justified of course, that it does not become gruesome.
This novel held my interest from beginning to end. I will be recommending Too Old For This it to all my reading friends. I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
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Kevin H. (Littleton, CO)
A New Kind of Protagonist
Lottie Jones is in for a surprise. I won't give away the surprise, but you'll know what it is by the end of the first chapter.
Lottie is an anti-hero, one who does not fit the mold of a typical protagonist, but one you just can't help rooting for nonetheless. The novel consists of a series of cat-and-mouse games that keep you guessing from one to the next. I had a difficult time figuring out where the novel was going.
I had a hard time putting this novel down and looked forward to restarting my reading whenever I could, and for this reason, it ended up being a quick read for me. I've read uncountable thrillers and mysteries, and this one was unlike any I had read before. It kept me guessing all the way up to the very end. The story was very balanced by disturbing thoughts and actions along with dark humor.
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Kristen H. (Lowell, MA)
Be ready to laugh and be on the edge of your seat.
Lottie Jones, the main character, drew me in from the beginning and is so perfectly described in both physical appearance and mentality for the cat and mouse plot with a bit of humor mixed in that is featured in this story. While reading the question asked wasn't "whodunnit?" but what will she do next? There was enough suspense to hold my interest and keep me wondering as Lottie Jones revealed her story.
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